UVM President to Lead University of Arizona

Suresh Garimella, who has been the president of the University of Vermont since 2019, has been appointed as the new president of the University of Arizona. The Arizona Board of Regents made the decision on Friday, selecting Garimella to succeed Robert Robbins, who has led the Tucson-based institution for the past seven years. Robbins announced his intention to resign at the end of his contract or sooner, following a budget shortfall attributed to miscalculations in cash reserves. Robbins has taken responsibility for the financial challenges facing the university, which have been exacerbated by unpaid loans to the athletics department. He noted that these financial strains have intensified as the university prepares to transition from the Pacific-12 Conference to the Big 12 next year. Despite these issues, Robbins has been recognized for his contributions to improving student retention rates and successfully leading fundraising efforts during his tenure. Garimella's previous experience includes serving as the executive vice president for research and partnership at Purdue University, where he was instrumental in fostering academic and research initiatives. His leadership at the University of Vermont has been marked by a focus on innovation and collaboration, which the Arizona Board of Regents hopes to replicate at the University of Arizona. The University of Arizona, which had approximately 42,000 undergraduate and 11,000 graduate students last academic year, is looking to Garimella to navigate its financial challenges and continue its growth trajectory in the coming years.